Suggestons to upgrade
Hi, I have a Canon 70D and have a Sigma 10-20mm (great lens) and a Canon nifty fifty, I also bought a Sigma 18-250mm as a walk around lens ( it was about £300 at the time).
Shortly after buying the 18-250mm I pretty much settled on doing landscape and 99% of the time I use a tripod. I have limited experience so it might be normal but I find the 18-250 not that great i.e very soft at 220+ range and auto focusing is iffy.
So I am looking for suggestions to replace the range from 20mm upwards with a better quality glass, lets say up to £1000 ( I am happy to go second hand ). If anyone has any suggestions that would be very helpful.
Cheers
Shortly after buying the 18-250mm I pretty much settled on doing landscape and 99% of the time I use a tripod. I have limited experience so it might be normal but I find the 18-250 not that great i.e very soft at 220+ range and auto focusing is iffy.
So I am looking for suggestions to replace the range from 20mm upwards with a better quality glass, lets say up to £1000 ( I am happy to go second hand ). If anyone has any suggestions that would be very helpful.
Cheers
A popular choice would be Canon 16-35mm or the Canon 17-40mm, Canon 24-105mm or Canon 24-70mm Canon 70-200mm f4.
I'm not up to date on current secondhand prices but you should be able to get one or two of the above lenses for under £1000 secondhand.
It really depends what focal length you want to prioritize.
I'm not up to date on current secondhand prices but you should be able to get one or two of the above lenses for under £1000 secondhand.
It really depends what focal length you want to prioritize.
Those long range zooms are a compromise as you've discovered, so it is normal.
It's good to see someone who states the issue and why they want to change, as so often people want to 'upgrade' for the sak of it or think it will improve their photography.
Justin makes some good recommendations, and his suggestion about what focal lengths you use most often is a good one. To replace your superzoom you'll need a couple of zooms, so maybe you won't be able to replace tthe whole focal lenght range in one go. Second hand will make the most of your budget, and a couple of places spring to mind, Wex and Mifsuds, thoughI'm sure others will have other suggestions.
It's good to hear landscape and long focal lengths together, as many only consider wide angle.
I guess the Canon 24-105 would be a good choice (you'll only have a 4 mm 'gap' in coverage). While I have Canon lenses, so I'm more familiar with their range, don't rule out similar focal lenght ranges from the likes ot Tamron and also Sigma. I think there are something like 17-85 mm lenses, and that woiuld pair well with the 70-200 (f/4 is absolutely fine and it's a great performer, lighter and much more wallet friendly than the f/2.8 version nice though that is).
The Photography Show is on in a month's time (all online this year) so there may be some offers on new gear.
It's good to see someone who states the issue and why they want to change, as so often people want to 'upgrade' for the sak of it or think it will improve their photography.
Justin makes some good recommendations, and his suggestion about what focal lengths you use most often is a good one. To replace your superzoom you'll need a couple of zooms, so maybe you won't be able to replace tthe whole focal lenght range in one go. Second hand will make the most of your budget, and a couple of places spring to mind, Wex and Mifsuds, thoughI'm sure others will have other suggestions.
It's good to hear landscape and long focal lengths together, as many only consider wide angle.
I guess the Canon 24-105 would be a good choice (you'll only have a 4 mm 'gap' in coverage). While I have Canon lenses, so I'm more familiar with their range, don't rule out similar focal lenght ranges from the likes ot Tamron and also Sigma. I think there are something like 17-85 mm lenses, and that woiuld pair well with the 70-200 (f/4 is absolutely fine and it's a great performer, lighter and much more wallet friendly than the f/2.8 version nice though that is).
The Photography Show is on in a month's time (all online this year) so there may be some offers on new gear.
I'd suggest that the OP checks the metadata for his/her favourite shots to see what focal-length was used.
The design of wide-range zooms must be a compromise and the affordable models have modest aperture. Once we know what focal lengths we actually use, we can buy a narrow-range zoom that'll have a wider aperture and probably better performance.
The design of wide-range zooms must be a compromise and the affordable models have modest aperture. Once we know what focal lengths we actually use, we can buy a narrow-range zoom that'll have a wider aperture and probably better performance.
Thanks ALL for your feedback, its much appreciated.
From Justin C's suggestion I did think the 24-105 might be the way to go. As dark_lord says I really need a couple of zooms to cover the range though it is rare that I use the longer length (partly because its pretty poor on my current lens).
Well I'll have a look around but another consideration which this raises is weight, I'm getting on and have a few health issues so when I have a bit of a hike I generally only carry one lens. The big question in my mind is it worth moving to lighter kit ( cost is a consideration obviously ) and is anything actually much lighter when all said and done. A couple of years ago I was dreaming of going full frame, Canon 5D mx etc but these days I would need to take someone along to carry it for me!
Food for thought indeed. Cheers.
From Justin C's suggestion I did think the 24-105 might be the way to go. As dark_lord says I really need a couple of zooms to cover the range though it is rare that I use the longer length (partly because its pretty poor on my current lens).
Well I'll have a look around but another consideration which this raises is weight, I'm getting on and have a few health issues so when I have a bit of a hike I generally only carry one lens. The big question in my mind is it worth moving to lighter kit ( cost is a consideration obviously ) and is anything actually much lighter when all said and done. A couple of years ago I was dreaming of going full frame, Canon 5D mx etc but these days I would need to take someone along to carry it for me!
Food for thought indeed. Cheers.
As a long time 24-105 owner I’ve moved to the 24-70/4L as it’s better than either of the 24-105/4L lenses at the wide end, particularly in controlling distortion. I do miss the few extra mm’s at the long end but adding a tele lens would help.
On the telephoto end - as you are using a crop cam and weight is a consideration, I’d suggest checking out the 55-250 STM, its light, compact and economical. Another, slightly pricier lens worth considering is the new-ish Tamron 70-210mm f/4 VC which has had excellent reviews.
On the telephoto end - as you are using a crop cam and weight is a consideration, I’d suggest checking out the 55-250 STM, its light, compact and economical. Another, slightly pricier lens worth considering is the new-ish Tamron 70-210mm f/4 VC which has had excellent reviews.
